Havana, October 8 (RHC)-- Workers in Cuba's communications system denounced Monday the harm caused by the U.S. blockade to the development of this sector, which suffered last year damages valued at more than 55 million dollars.

In an audience convened by the Services Committee of the National Assembly of People's Power--the Cuban Parliament--, participants rejected the limitations caused by the siege on the acquisition of technologies, the flow of information and Internet access for Cubans.

They also pointed out that the intensification of hostility by Washington affects the technological processes essential to computerization of the Cuban society.

The president of the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA), Mayra Arevich, ratified that this entity is the most affected by the blockade, since it registers almost 99 percent of the total amount of damages.

She also referred to the United States' use of cyberspace to try to subvert Cuba's political and legal system, a role for which Washington created the Internet Task Force for Cuba in 2018.

Previously, Lídice Arango, ETECSA's purchasing director, explained the problems that arise for the acquisition of products and equipment, which Cuba is obliged to do in distant countries in Europe and Asia, leading Cubato spend more than two billion dollars above international market prices on the purchase of inputs necessary for the activity, due to denial to the island to carry out this operation in the United States.

Meanwhile, Eldis Vargas, vice-president of the Cuban Post Office, added that the prohibitions to the island prevent the realization of International Money Orders (GPI) from the United States or other countries whose banks are branches of US banks.

Officials from other offices of the island's communications system, such as Radiocuba, presented other details about the damages caused by the U.S. siege.

However, despite the obstacles they vowed to continue their effort, work and creativity to help the development of the Cuban society and ensure a quality service for the people.

In addition to the workers and directors of the Ministry of Communications, the public audience was attended by ANPP vice-president Ana María Masi Machado and the Communications Minister, Jorge Luis Perdomo.